Nectarine tree named ‘Giant Pearl’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the second week in August, with first picking on Aug. 9, 2002. The fruit is uniformly large in size, excellent in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, very firm in texture, white in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color. The variety was developed as a first generation cross using ‘Summer Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,049) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and an unnamed white flesh nectarine seedling as the selected pollen parent.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. The present invention relatesto a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has beendenominated varietally as ‘GIANT PEARL’. The present variety washybridized by me in 1994, grown as a seedling on its own root in mygreenhouse, and transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard at Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (SanJoaquin Valley). The variety was developed as a first generation crossusing ‘Summer Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,049) yellow flesh nectarineas the selected seed parent and an unnamed white flesh nectarineseedling as the selected pollen parent. This unnamed pollen parent waspreviously developed as a first generation cross between ‘Bradcrim’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,461) white flesh nectarine and ‘August Red’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 6,363) yellow flesh nectarine. Subsequent to originationof the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it bybudding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, andsuch reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety includedthe use of ‘Nemaguard’ rootstock (unpatented) upon which the presentvariety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its selected seed parent, ‘SummerBright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,049) nectarine, by producing nectarinesthat are globose in shape, firm in texture, clingstone in type, andalmost full red in skin color, but is very distinguished therefrom andan improvement thereon by producing fruit that is white instead ofyellow in flesh color, that is subacid instead of acid in flavor, andthat matures about seventeen days later.

The present variety is similar to one of its selected pollengrandparent, ‘Bradcrim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,461) nectarine, byproducing nectarines that are white in flesh color, almost full red inskin color, and subacid in flavor, but is quite distinguished therefromand an improvement thereon by producing fruit that is much larger insize, that is firmer in texture, that is clingstone instead of freestonein type, and that matures about one month later.

The present variety is similar to its other selected pollen grandparent,‘August Red’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,363) nectarine, by producingnectarines that are clingstone in type, almost full red in skin color,and firm in texture, but is quite distinguished therefrom and animprovement thereon by producing fruit that is white instead of yellowin flesh color, subacid instead of acid in flavor, and that maturesabout twenty days earlier.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Fire Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,358) nectarine by producing white flesh clingstone nectarines that arefirm in texture, mostly red in skin color, and sweet subacid in flavor,but is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon by havingreniform instead of globose leaf glands, by having a small non-showyinstead of large showy blossom, and by producing nectarines that aremuch larger in size and mature about ten days later.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph exhibits four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Aug. 15, 2002, on the original tree during itseighth growing season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

TREE

Size: Medium, reaching a height of 9′ [2.74 m.] and a spread of 8′ [2.44m.] after eight growing seasons utilizing typical dormant pruning.

Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and fertilization.The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus top-growth during thespring and summer. The plant should be grown on a standard commercialrootstock for production purposes.

Growth: Spreading and open.

Form: Vase formed.

Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.

Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical centralCalifornia climatic conditions, which typically include extended periodsof heat.

Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards andrequires regular irrigation.

Production: Very productive, thinning necessary.

Fertility: Self-fertile.

Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium, with a maximum diameter of 2¾″ [70 mm.] after the eighthgrowing season.

Texture.—Shaggy.

Bark color.—Dark grayish reddish brown [47. d.gy.rBr].

Lenticles.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 14. Color: Light orangeyellow [70. l.OY]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].

Branches:

Size.—Diameter of limb is 1″ [25 mm.] measured 12″ above the secondaryfork, typical of Prunus persica, and dependent upon cultural practicesand climatic conditions.

Texture.—Smooth on 1st year wood, increasing roughness with age.

Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st Year WoodUnderside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG]. Older Wood: Moderatebrown [58. m.Br].

Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 40. Color: Light orangeyellow [70. l.OY]. Typical size: {fraction (1/16)}″ to {fraction(3/16)}″ [1.6-4.8 mm.].

Leaves:

Size.—Medium. Average Length: 5⅞″ [149 mm.]. Average width: 1⅝″ [41mm.].

Arrangement.—Alternate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Form.—Elliptical.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 90 degrees.

Surface.—Smooth.

Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG]. VentralSurface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].

Margin.—Finely serrate.

Venation.—Pinnately net veined.

Petiole.—Average Length: {fraction (7/16)}″ [11.1 mm.]. AverageThickness: {fraction (1/16)}″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green[116. brill.YG].

Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip. Average Length:¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] with Deepred [13. deep R] margins.

Glands.—Number: 2 to 4. Position: Mostly alternate, positioned on boththe petiole and base of blade. Size: Medium. Form: Reniform. Color:Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] with Moderate reddish brown [43.m.rBr] centers on older glands.

Leaf buds.—Conic.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California winters.

Diameter.—Typically {fraction (5/16)}″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.

Length.—Typically {fraction (7/16)}″ [11.1 mm.] 1 week before bloom.

Form.—Not appressed.

Surface.—Pubescent.

Color.—Moderate purplish red [258. m.pR].

Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locationsalternately positioned.

Type.—Non-showy, small.

Average flower diameter.—1{fraction (5/16)}″ [33.3 mm.].

Number of petals.—Almost always five.

Petal shape.—Oval.

Petal margin.—Somewhat wavy.

Average petal diameter.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].

Average petal length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].

Petal apex.—Rounded.

Petal base.—Acute.

Petal color.—Light pink [4. l.Pk] toward the center becoming Moderatepurplish red [258. m.pR] toward the margin.

Anther color.—Dark reddish orange [38. d.rO] over a Brilliant orangeyellow [67. brill.OY] center.

Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].

Sepal color.—Grayish purplish red [262. gy.pR].

Sepal length.—{fraction (3/16)}″ [5 mm.].

Sepal width.—{fraction (5/32)}″ [4 mm.].

Average pistil length.—{fraction (9/16)}″ [14.3 mm.].

Average stamen length.—{fraction (7/16)}″[11.1 mm.].

Fragrance.—Moderate when nectar is present.

Blooming period.—Medium compared with other varieties.

Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 4, 2002.

Date of full bloom.—Mar. 11, 2002.

Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient temperature.

Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Aug. 15, 2002.

Date of first picking: Aug. 9, 2002.

Date of last picking: Aug. 20, 2002.

Size: Uniform, very large.

Average diameter axially.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].

Average diameter across suture plane.—3⅛″ [79.4 mm.].

Typical weight.—10 ounces [283 grams].

Form: Globose, mostly symmetrical.

Longitudinal section form.—Circular.

Transverse section through diameter.—Circular.

Suture: A sharp groove toward the base, becoming shallow and roundedalong the sides, deepening toward the apex, and discontinuing with aslight depression just beyond the pistil point.

Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped stronger toward the apex.

Lips: Unequal, as one lip usually forms a minor suture bulge along theside.

Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side, Yellowish whitewhite [92. ywhite] stem markings typical.

Depth.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].

Breadth.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].

Base: Rounded to slightly truncate.

Apex: Rounded and slightly cuneate when viewed along the suture.

Pistil point: Both apical and oblique, short, usually depressed withinthe suture.

Stem: Medium.

Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].

Average width.—{fraction (3/16)}″ [4.8 mm.].

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Smooth.

Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.

Astringency.—Nonastringent.

Tendency to crack.—Slight.

Color.—Dark red [16. d.R] smoothly blending to Moderate red [15. m.R],an occasional Pale yellow green [121. p.YG] sun protected area, andLight orange yellow [73. l.OY] freckling on the sides and toward theapex.

Flesh:

Color.—Yellowish white [92. yWhite] with Dark red [16. d.R] streakingnear the stone.

Surface of pit cavity.—Dark red [16. d.R] fibers breaking when twistedfrom the stone.

Amygdalin.—Scarce.

Juice.—Abundant, rich.

Texture.—Very firm, crisp.

Fibers.—Abundant, fine.

Ripens.—Slightly earlier toward the apex.

Flavor.—Subacid and sweet, averaging 16 to 18 brix.

Aroma.—Slight.

Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

Type: Clingstone.

Form: Oval.

Hilum: Narrow, oblong.

Base: Straight.

Apex: Acute to acuminate, typically with a very sharp {fraction (3/16)}″[4.8 mm.] tip.

Sides: Equal.

Surface: Horizontally furrowed near the apex becoming vertical towardthe base with minor pitting from the base to center.

Ridges: Jagged toward the base.

External color of stone: Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr].

Pit wall color when cracked: Moderate brown [58. m.Br].

Surface color of stone cavity: Strong brown [55. s.Br].

Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].

Average width: 1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].

Average length: 1{fraction (7/16)}″ [36.5 mm.].

Average breadth: {fraction (13/16)}″ [20.6 mm.].

Tendency to split: None observed.

Kernel:

Form.—Oval.

Skin color.—Pale yellow [89. p.Y] when freshly removed.

Pellicle color.—Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr].

Vein color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].

Taste.—Bitter.

Viable.—Yes.

Average width.—{fraction (9/16)}″ [14.3 mm.].

Average length.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].

Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.

Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in goodcondition in after 17 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°Celsius].

Shippinq quality: Good.

Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Fire Pearl’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 9,358) nectarine by producing white flesh clingstonenectarines that are firm in texture, mostly red in skin color, and sweetsubacid in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom and an improvementthereon by having reniform instead of globose leaf glands, by havingsmall non-showy instead of large showy blossoms, and by producingnectarines that are much larger in size and mature about ten days later.